Ch.3
All rights belong to Rick Riordan.
In this story, Artemis appears around Percy's age to make it easier to portray the motherly role for her compared to a twelve-year-old girl.
Hestia turned and looked at the enraged sky god. "Yes, I was aware. I do not pretend to know how Zoe came to be, but she's here now, and that's how it is. Artemis did not break her oath, so as far as I can see, there's no issue here. Perhaps there is more than one way to give birth, like how Athena does, and Artemis somehow did it."
With that, she turned back to her place, gazing at the fire. Zeus stood stunned before he relaxed at the reminder that Artemis did not break her oath. "So when will we get to meet her?" he asked. Artemis looked stunned. "You're not going to try to kill her?" Zeus shook his head. "She's not the result of a broken oath, so I don't see any issue with it. Does anyone else?" Nobody raised their hand except Apollo, who stood up and opened his mouth to say something, only to get jet-streamed by Poseidon and fall off his throne again.
Artemis glared murderously at her twin before she looked up. "Should I go get her now, Father?" Zeus smiled softly and nodded. "And if possible, please bring my son as well," Poseidon asked, smiling at his niece. Artemis smiled back before flashing off her throne and back to the beach. When she arrived, she was pleasantly surprised to see Percy and Zoe still there, currently trying to build a sandcastle. Zoe saw her approach first and jumped up before diving at her mother.
Artemis laughed as she caught her and snuggled her tightly before releasing her, only for Zoe to laugh before turning and sprinting back to her dad, causing him to go wide-eyed before he let out an "OOMPH" as he was spear-tackled face-first into the attempted sandcastle. Artemis fell over laughing as she watched Zoe try to untangle herself from Percy before she stood up triumphantly over her father.
Percy groaned before standing up and dusting himself off the sand, smiling widely. "That was mean," he grumbled. Zoe stuck her tongue out before running back over to her mom and hiding behind her. Artemis patted Zoe on the head before turning to Percy. "Percy, the gods want to meet Zoe, and my uncle asks that you come with us. They know about us." Percy looked at her in shock, before quickly angering. "How do they even know about Zoe? We haven't been around any gods since you dropped her off." I looked at him before grimacing. "Annabeth went to Olympus and told my father I had broken my oath."
At that response, Percy's expression darkened, and Zoe, seeing the look on her father's face, hid behind her mom's legs, causing Artemis to turn and angrily snap at Percy. "Get yourself together Percy; you're scaring Zoe!" That was enough for Percy to snap out of it and calm down, as Artemis let out the breath she was holding.
Zoe peeked out from behind Artemis, and seeing her father back to normal, slowly inched her way toward him. Percy smiled reassuringly at her, giving Zoe the confidence she needed to run at him and hug him. Percy tightened his hold on her before letting go and looking up at Artemis, giving her a nod to show he was ready. She walked over and placed a hand on each of their shoulders, engulfing them in silver light as they flashed to Olympus.
Upon arriving, Zoe froze as she noticed the eleven Olympians, sitting in their thrones, looking down at her and Percy. When she noticed her mom had walked to a throne and sat down, she quickly hid behind Percy, whose 6'2 form could easily conceal her. Percy crossed his arms and stood in front of Zoe, making no effort to push her towards the gods Percy knew would try to attack her or him at the slightest inconvenience.
Once Artemis was situated, Zeus turned and looked at Percy. "Percy, welcome back to Olympus. It's been what, four years?" Percy nodded his head, still unflinching from his spot in front of Zoe. "What can I do for you, Lord Zeus?" he asked. Zeus looked surprised, not expecting Percy to be formal. "Percy, we were made aware you had a daughter who I assume is the one hiding behind you with Artemis, and we're hoping you could shed some light on how she came to be." Percy shrugged. "Your guess is as good as mine. I was passed out drunk when it happened. I didn't even know till 9 months after the fact."
Hearing that, Zoe peeked out from behind Percy at the gods. Percy had described them to her, but the real deal was something else—way more intimidating. Although her dad didn't seem scared of them at all. He seemed relaxed.
"Does she know the unusual method of her birth?" Athena asked. Percy turned to look at her, smiling, and opened his mouth to speak until he saw Annabeth peeking out wide-eyed from her mom's leg. He froze before shutting his mouth, and his eyes darkened as he glared at her. Athena noticed the change, instinctively activating Argus and held it in front of Annabeth.
Percy looked up and glared at Athena before he looked around and suddenly his posture relaxed, and he resumed his normal facial expression. Athena, shocked by his change of behavior, turned and looked at where Percy had been looking and went wide-eyed. Artemis was glaring back at him, and evidently, they had a glaring stare-down, with either Artemis winning or Percy submitting, and she wasn't sure which it was.
Athena sat there in shock before she retracted Argus and turned back to Percy, who was smiling again. "To answer your question, my lady, yes, she does. Or at least what I know of what transpired that night. I do not hide things from her, nor do I have any reason to. The only reason I didn't tell her her mom was Lady Artemis was that I wasn't 1000% certain, and I did not want to risk ruining her image of her mom. I had a very strong suspicion she was based on Zoe's hair and eyes but with our world, you never know so I wasn't taking any chances."
(Artemis's Perspective)
Wow, he hid who he suspected Zoe's mom was purely because he didn't want to potentially ruin Zoe's image of her mom, whom she hadn't met yet, in the chance he was wrong. I wish I could have confirmed Zoe was mine, but I didn't want to risk the gods finding out about her before Percy brought her to camp. That makes me even more glad that Percy was the guy I had a child with, even if it was unintentional by both parties.
(Percy's Perspective)
"So Percy, are you going to introduce us to your daughter? We have no intention of harming her." Zeus asked. I slowly turned and looked behind me, and locked eyes with Zoe, who was looking at the gods
and Zeus in particular in fear. I turned around and crouched down, took her hands in mine. "These are your family. Just be respectful and bow to them when you approach them, and call them Lord or Lady depending on the gender. Be sure to bow to Lord Zeus first, as he is the master of these chambers, or as he puts it. If anything happens, your mother and I will protect you, as well as my father, Lord Poseidon, the man currently holding a trident."
(Zoe's Perspective)
I turned to look at the man Dad mentioned and smiled when I locked eyes with him. He had a warm smile just like Dad, and I felt safe and comfortable with him. I turned to look at everyone else, who had a warm smile on their face, except for a golden-haired boy on a golden throne.
He was glaring at me, which was unnerving and draining my confidence. I turned to look at Mom, only to see her glare and fire an arrow at Golden Boy's head. I turned to look at him as he turned to look at the arrow, only to go wide-eyed as it changed to a boxing glove, catching him in the forehead and slumping forward, sending him crashing to the floor.
I turned back to my mom who was smirking at the boy before turning to me and smiling warmly, giving me confidence. I walked forward before kneeling on Lord Zeus's throne. "Hello Lord Zeus," I said as confidently as I could with the amount of nervousness coursing through me. "Rise, Zoe," I heard him say. I looked up as I stood up, still reeling from the power coming off him.
"Welcome to Olympus, Zoe. I am Zeus, your grandfather. Well, on your mother's side anyway. We don't need to go into specifics. We are your family on the divine side of the Greek world. Do you know if you are a demigod or a godling?" Zoe shook her head. "Artemis, can you please come check your daughter?"
I turned as my mom came down from her throne and shrunk until she was the normal size I was used to. Taking my hand, she whispered into my ear, "This will sting, but you will be fine." I nodded as Mom summoned a small knife and made an incision on my hand, before looking at the open wound. I bled mostly red but with specks of gold. "So she isn't a normal demigod, but she isn't a godling either. Perhaps it has something to do with how she was born?" asked Athena.
Zeus looked thoughtful before shrugging. Turning to my dad, he spoke in a thoughtful tone.
(Percy's Perspective)
"Percy, how long have you had Zoe in your care?" "Four years Lord Zeus." he nodded as Athena looked thoughtful. "Perhaps she is both demigod and godling. She has aged at an accelerated rate, but it appears this year it slowed down. Perhaps when she reaches a certain age she will become immortal?" she offered. "Your guess is as good as mine, Lady Athena." Although I remember the note that came with Zoe that said exactly that, I wasn't offering that information in case Zeus decided to act rashly, which he was famous for doing. And something tells me Artemis felt the same, as she hadn't said anything either.
Looking over at her, she met my eyes as her gaze softened, and we shared silent agreement. Say nothing until out of earshot of our fathers. Unfortunately for us, someone noticed our look exchange and made a mental note to ask about it later.
(Outside View)
After the gods had gotten their theories out, Artemis stepped off her throne and walked up to her dad. "Father, it is getting late; we should return to my hunters before they think something happened to us again." Zeus nodded before smiling as Artemis kissed him on the cheek before walking towards Percy, shrinking down in size with Zoe close behind. Percy smiled before nodding at his dad and Zeus before turning and walking out with Zoe and Artemis. As they walked out, Athena smiled at them.
"They are so cute. Maybe it's worth trying to convince Percy to take immortality, especially if Zoe will become immortal. That would be a valuable asset to us." Poseidon looked at her in anger, thinking Athena was only trying to exploit his son, and opened his mouth to snap back, only to notice Apollo stirring on the floor. "Where did that sea whore go?" he mumbled. Poseidon stood up and calmly walked over to Apollo before taking the butt of his trident, and hovering it over Apollo's head. After a second he brought his trident down, repeatedly slamming Apollo's face into the floor until he quit moving. Satisfied, he dissolved into a sea breeze as he left Olympus.
When Percy, Artemis, and Zoe arrived back at camp, it was beginning to turn dark. Percy had plans to go home after getting Zoe settled in at camp, but Artemis had other ideas. She dragged the two towards her cabin, where she knew the hunters would be. Knocking on the door, she waited until Thalia opened the door.
"Welcome back, Milady, why didn't you just fl—" She stopped as she noticed Percy behind her. Her eyes widened even further when she peeked around Artemis and noticed Zoe. "Hi," Zoe said as she waved.
Thalia grinned before stepping aside and letting Artemis in and grabbed Zoe, pulling her in as well as she closed the door. Percy smiled at the smooth transition for Zoe between Percy's life and Artemis's. Percy cheerfully hummed as he started walking away when he noticed a little girl sitting by the campfire. Grinning, he walked in her direction.
(Percy's Perspective)
"Lady Hestia, how fare you?" he greeted as he settled across from her. "I am well, Percy. And yourself?" Percy's smile widened as he noticed the pithos at her feet. "I'm managing, Milady. Adjusting to seeing some of the campers again, especially the immortal ones, but thankfully, my stay won't be prolonged."
"And why's that, Percy?" she inquired. "What do you mean, Milady?" "I mean, why won't you be staying much longer?" Percy looked confused. "Why would I stay? Zoe's reunited with her mom and the girls, and I'm no longer one of the yearly demigods. I have no purpose in staying."
"Are you certain about that? Because I sense the imminent arrival of a goddess who I don't believe would take kindly to the notion of your departure." With that, we both swiveled our heads towards the camp, and my eyes widened in realization as I beheld Artemis marching determinedly towards us.
(Artemis's Perspective)
After I retreated indoors to catch up with my hunters, it struck me that Percy was conspicuously absent. I peeked out of my separate room and observed all the girls gathered together, engaged in conversation with Zoe about her life, yet her father was nowhere to be found. "Thalia, where's Percy?" I queried. Thalia glanced up from the group's discussion. "I haven't a clue, Milady. He didn't join us when you and Zoe entered." My expression darkened as I stormed outside, displeased with Percy's apparent escape.
Scanning the surroundings, I spotted the unmistakable silhouette of Percy seated by the fire with a little girl. Marching towards them, they noticed my approach as I drew nearer. "Ah, hello, niece," the little girl greeted, not bothering to look at me. "Hello, Hestia. May I inquire why Percy is here?" I asked. "Well, he was planning on heading home, but he noticed me and decided to come over for a chat," Hestia explained.
I turned to glare at him, only to find him returning the gesture. We engaged in a silent stare-down, reminiscent of our earlier encounter. After a minute, he relented and glanced down, while I couldn't help but offer a smug smirk. Turning to the little girl, I smiled before speaking. "Hestia, it appears Percy knows when he is beaten and will be accompanying me." Hestia turned and returned the smile before nodding in agreement.
Percy looked like he wanted to protest, but one glare from me, and he stood up, bid Hestia farewell, and then followed me back to camp.
(Hestia's Perspective)
My poor nephew, what has he gotten himself into this time, I said to myself as I flashed away, taking the Pithos and the fire with me.
(Zoe's Perspective)
I was getting along great with Mom's hunters, much to my enjoyment. We chatted about our lives and what it was like having Dad as well, a dad. After a while Mom stomped off to find Dad, only to return a few minutes later dragging him by the arm into the cabin much to his protest, and dragged him straight into her room, as we heard the distinguishable sound of a lock clicking in place on the door.
Immediately, the hunters started whispering between themselves. Thalia looked more shocked than anyone else. "Did she just drag Percy into her private chambers and lock the door, which even we aren't allowed to enter, or am I losing it?"
"Nope, she definitely did, Thalia," I said. "I know four years isn't long for goddesses, and I doubt she's trying to break her oath, so maybe she just wanted him around so they could act as parents for me together instead of separately? Or is that self-centered?" Thalia shook her head at my statement. "Honestly, you're probably right. But her room is soundproof, so even if they were doing that, we wouldn't know." At that moment, the cabin shook slightly every few seconds as the hunters all looked at each other in shock and amazement.
"Maybe he's getting his ass beat," I offered, which turns out to be closer to the truth than what the hunters assumed was happening.
(Percy's Perspective)
I don't know what I did to deserve this, but I definitely didn't feel like I deserved to be getting thrown around a room, let alone Artemis's private room. I didn't follow Artemis into her cabin for obvious reasons, and I got to sit with my favorite goddess other than the one currently throwing me around the room.
"Will you stop abusing me? What did I do to deserve this?" I asked as Artemis growled at me. "I dragged you here to spend time with me and Zoe after four years, and the second my back was turned you ran away," she said angrily. "Well, yeah, I'm not just gonna help myself to your cabin; are you insane? Do you want me to end up dead as a pincushion?" She responded to that by grabbing my arm and throwing me into the wall, which I collided with very painfully.
"OW. WILL YOU STOP THROWING ME INTO WALLS?" She looked at me for a minute, making me think she had calmed down until I had a mini dresser flying at my head, at which I had to drop to the floor to avoid taking it to the face. After another assault via a desk chair, I ended up running at her to attempt to restrain her which, in hindsight, was probably not the best idea due to the fact she is a goddess and I am not.
After a not-so-quick wrestling match, I eventually had her pinned to the bed. "Now, will you please stop throwing stuff at me?" I asked. Artemis looked at me for a second before nodding her head. I loosened my grip for a split second only for her to surge upward and headbutt me, knocking me flat on my ass and quickly sending me to the realm of Morpheus.